The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1887-05-25
DISTRICT COURT.
The Grand Jury Concludes it's
Labors and Makes Report.


Sixteen Indictments Found During
the Session of the Body.
Judge Mcconnell Made a Neat Little Ad-
dress in Discharging the Jury, Dis
pensing 'Taffy" in Liberal
Quantities
The first night session of the term was
held last evening and quite number were
in attendance, as it was known that the
grand jury would make its report and be
discharged, At half past eight the jury
filed into the court room and the report
was handed to the judge by Foreman
Dickerman. Following is the full text of
the documents
REPORT OF THE GRAND JURY.
70 the. Honorable n. w. Mcconnell,
Judge of the Third Judicial District
Court, in and for the county Of Cho-
teau and territory of Montana.
We, the jurors of the grand jury, duly
empanneled, sworn and charged at the
May term of this court to enquire into and
true presentments make of all offenses
brought to our notice and committed
within the county of Choteau respectfully
report.
That we have carefully enquired into all
the offenses brought before us, and with
out fear, favor or prejudice have true
presentments made in all cases where the
evidence justified.
Much of the time Of this grand jury has
been wasted in the examination of per-
sons accused of crime who had Or eviously
been examined before committing magis-
trates and held to answer, but whom on
examination we found nothing against
that would warrant Indictment, either be-
cause the charge could not be sustained in
any case, or because the witnesses were
not forthcoming, owing to the practise
employed by the magistrates of taking
cognizance of totally irresponsi-
bic persons.
In one case seven witnesses were
brought before us from a great distance
that could give no testimony in the case;
in another three were brought from ada
cent counties that could give no material
evidence. All this has cost the county
many hundred dollars in needless expense.
it apears to us that much of this expense
nilId hn +La
rate properly performed his duty in the
examination of persons accused of crime.
10 person should be held to answer un-
ess the evidence was such as to warrant
N Indictment by the grand jury, and we
therefore, recommend that the board of
county commissioners carefully scrutinize
osts presented by magistrates in such ex-
and fully and fearlessly exer-
ise the power conferred upon them by
aW in rejecting all accounts for costs in
UGH eases.
We have looked through the public
nildings, making thorough examina-
ion Of their present condition.
ion of the court house to be unsafe, the
ame having been built of brick and Of a
oor quality. The brick are gradually
ecaying, rendering the building insecure.
Ve would therefore recommend that
be done to place the building
! safe and substantial condition. We
so find the floors and windows of the
ourr house dirty and unsightly, and
ould recommend that the janitor be re-
aired TO exercise more diligence in the
erformance of his duties.
We find the county jail in good condi-
on except as to the cement floor and
'ainage pipes in rear OF main room.
The floor seems to have been undermin-
by rats and from appearance of the {
ound contiguous to the rear wall we {
ould judge that the foundation was be- {
e affected, either by moisture Or the ex- !
vation under same. We find also that G
9 prisoners are properly fed and cared t
r. G
Inc furnace belonging 10 the county
q purchased at cost of ten hundred c
d fifty dollars, now stored in the base 8
ent of the court house, We would re- il
mmend be either put in use Or disposed fl
as early as possible. 81
The system adopted by she board of p
lnty commissioners in caring for the Il
or we find to be one of general econo- C;
: and satisfactory.
We have devoted some time to the ex- ii
ination of the county offices and the h
nner in which the different officers p;
form their duties. The books and Of OF
, of the probate judge are kept in q
per and ley irmae manner tii
ne Offices and books OF the clerk and v
order also Of the treasurer we find neat co
kept in proper manner with the ex- tn
ton Of the tax book. This book has |
II s4E